Telegraphic transmitting device



March 26, 1940. E. E. KLEINSCHMIDT 2,194,663

TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTING DEVICE Original Filed Dec. 28, 1935 2 She ets-Sheet l INVENTOR EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT ATTORN Y 2 Shets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR I EDWARD E. KLEINSCHMIDT ATTORNEY A g f Original Filed Dec. 28, 1935 FIG.

Patented Mar. 26, 1940 PATENT OFF-ICE" 2,194,663 rauzeaarmc mansmrrmo DEVICE Edward E. Kleinschmidt, Highland Park, 111., as-

signor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application December 28, 1935, Serial No. 56,495

Renewed May 5, 1939 26 Claims.

The invention relates to printing telegraph apparatus, and more particularly to automatic transmitters for the transmission of intelligence telegraphically.

Objects of the invention are to simplify materially the construction of telegraph transmitters and to increase the emciency of their operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a transmitter which enables the operation of the associated keyboard at a speed not related to the speed of operation of the telegraph circuit over which the signal impulses are to be transmitted.

The above and other objects of the invention are achieved by the provision of a keyboard perforator for preparing a control strip, specifically, a perforated tape, and a tape reader which senses the control indicia or perforations on the prepared strip and which controls the character of the signal impulses transmitted to a connected signaling circuit. Specifically, the tape reader has a pivoted frame carrying the operated elements which include a tape sensing head through which the control tape is advanced step by step by the action of an electromagnet energized in-' termittently from a signal distributor and a plurality of perforation sensing rods which control, in accordance with the tape perforations, electrical contacts connected to the segments of the signal distributor. Electrical signals thus will be transmitted to a connected circuit, depending upon the position of the electrical contacts, through the action of the distributor. An electromagnet also carried by the pivoted frame withdraws the rods from cooperation with the tape to allow the advancement of the tape by the electromagnet through a tape feeding mechanism provided for that purpose to present the next transverse row of perforations in alignment with the sensing rods.

The perforator supplies tape to the record reader, which operates to transmit signal impulses corresponding to the perforations in the tape through a normally stopped distributor.

' Upon the initial operation of the perforator,

which has the usual tape feed mechanism operated to advance the tape for each actuation of the punch hammer, the tape moves the sensing head from its engagement withthe die block of the perforator. and thus opens a pair of contacts included in the energizing circuit of the stop electromagnet of the distributor, which is deepergized to allow the rotation of the distributor and thus the transmission of signal impulses corresponding to the row of perforations in the tape.

If the tape is perforated at a rate higher than the rate at which signal impulses are transmitted by the distributor, the tape ejected from the perforator, aided by a coiled spring,'will cause the frame carrying the sensing head to rotate about its pivot until it engages a fixed stop. Continued operation of the perforator at the higher speed results in the preparation of additional tape forming a loop between the sensing head of the record reader and the point of perforation, or the 1 die block. However, should there be a, cessation in the preparationof the tape or the rate of preparation of the tape be diminished, signal impulses will continue to be transmitted in accordance with the perforations in the tape, and when the loop of tape is exhausted, the sensing head will move step by step by the action of the tape feeding mechanism of the record reader toward the point of perforation until the last row of perforations has been sensed, when the advancement 0 of the sensing head will be arrested, and the operating circuit of the stop electromagnet of the distributor closed and the distributor stopped on the completion of its then cycle of rotation. The distributor will remain stopped until the perforator is again operated, when the distributor will start automatically for the transmission of signal impulses.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the record reader and a fragmentary part of the keyboard perforator;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows the circuit connections of the record reader and the transmitting distributor;

Fig. 5 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the record reader in its advanced position, which will result when the tape is prepared at a rate higher than the speed of transmitting impulses to a connected signaling circuit; and,

Fig. 6 shows a section of the perforated tape.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate similar parts throughout the several views of the apparatus, and particularly to Fig. 1, the apparatus involved in the practice of the invention comprises two units; namely, a keyboard perforator l0 and a record or tape reader II. The keyboard perforator I0 is of the construction fully disclosed in- Patent 1,182,179 to c. L. and H. L. Krum dated May 9, 1916. Of course, other well-known keyboard perforators are equally adaptable for operation in conjunction with the record reader For a full and complete understanding of the operation of the keyboard perforator disclosed, reference should be had to the foregoing patent, for the drawings referred to herein show only as much of the perforator as is considered necessary for a full and complete understanding of the present invention.

The several parts of the apparatus are mounted on a cast-metal base l2 having a depressed front portion |3. Above the depressed front portion, the base is provided with an opening through which the forward ends of a series of keylevers ll extend. At the rear ends, the keylevers, as disclosed in the foregoing patent, are fulcrumed upon a rod suitably supported in the base l2. The forward ends of the keylevers ll carry finger keys l5.

The keylevers l4 cooperate with a series of permutation bars, and function to set such bars in various combinations in accordance with a prearranged plan; that is, the permutation bars will be set in varying combinations upon the depression of each of the keylevers.

The permutation bars operated through the depression of, the keylevers control the setting in corresponding permuted relation of a series of bell crank levers l6. Consequently, for each permuted setting of the permutation bars in response to the operation of keylevers l4, bell crank levers IE will be correspondingly operated. Extending laterally from one arm of each of the bell crank levers I6 is a punch controlling bar or interponent H. In the case of a perforator for the preparation of a tape operating on a five-unit code system, five punch controlling bars II will be provided and will, as disclosed in Fig. 1, be supported and guided in an oscillating punch actuator l8.

Punch actuator I8 is arranged to be operated through punch hammer 28 in response to the energization of an electromagnet, which is energized in tuned relation with the operation of the keylevers l4 and is effective to actuate simultaneously a feed hole punch l9 and a plurality of code punches 2|. Feed hole punch I9 is guided in openings formedin hardened steel plates 22'and 23 carried by a bracket 24 secured to a plate 25 which 'in turn-is fastened to base l2. The feed hole punch 9, in accordance with well-known and established practice, is held in its retracted position by means of a spring and cooperates with a die block 26 fastened to a guide plate 21 to perforate the feed hole in a tape 28. The opposing sides of die block 26 and guide plate '21 are recessed to form a guide-way for the tape 28.

The end of each interponent opposite the end connected to the bell crank levers I8 is supported by a. bar 29 fixed to the under side of the punch actuator I8, and will be moved into or out of alignment with one end of its associated bell crank lever 33 in accordance with the position of the connected bell crank lever l6. For example, with an interponent in its retracted position, the free end thereof will be out of alignment with its associated bell crank lever 33. However, with the interponent in its other position, its free end will be in alignment with the end of its individual bell crank lever 33. There being five interponents H,

five bell crank levers 33 are also provided. The

bell crank levers 33 are pivoted on a bracket perforate the tape 28 in accordance with the permuted setting of the interponents As was described in connection with the perforation of the feed hole, the die block 35 and the plate to which it is attached are recessed to provide a guide-way for the tape 28.

Each of the punches 2| has an enlarged portion 38 which is engaged by an arm of a bell crank lever' 31, the other arm of which is attached to one end of a spring 38 which has its other end secured to a spring post 38 formed in plate 25. There is a bell crank lever 31 individual to each code punch 2|,: and each is provided with a bifurcated portion which cooperates with the enlarged portion 36 on the code punches 2|.

For each operation of punch actuator I8 in response to the operationof punch hammer 20, which will occur upon the energization of the punch magnet (not shown), feed hole punch I3 will be operated to punch the feed hole in tape 28 and the bell crank levers 33 will be rotated about their pivot depending upon whether an interponent I! is in alignment therewith. In the case of those interponents which are aligned with the associated bell crank 33, the code punches 2| individual thereto will be operated to punch the tape 28 in accordance with the permuted setting of interponents in response to the actuation of the particular keylever. The movement of punch actuator l8 and the operation of punches 2| as described causes bell crank lever 31 to rotate about its pivot and extend spring 38. Upon the deenergization of the punch electromagnet through the instrumentality of which punch actuator l8 was operated, the energy of spring 38 will become efiective and withdraw the actuated code punches 2| from the tape 28.

Through the operation of feed punch l9 and code punches 2|, transverse rows of perforations are punched in the tape 28 to represent the different characters or signals such as exemplified in the sample of tape 28 shown in' Fig. 6.

Located between the feed hole punch l9 and the code punches 2| is a drum 40 which has on its periphery a series of pins which cooperate with the feed holes punched by feed hole punch I9 to advance tape 28 to present an unperforated area in alignment with the code punches 2|. Drum 40 is secured to a shaft supported by a bracket carried by plate 25, and has formed in its lower end a series of ratchet teeth. Cooperating with such ratchet teeth is. a holding and a stepping pawl. The stepping pawl is secured to the punch actuator l8, and-is advanced to engage the next tooth on the ratchet wheel formed in drum 8 when punch actuator 18 is moved in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 1. When punch actuator I8 is retracted, resultingi upon the deenergization of the electromagnet which caused its operation, the stepping pawl causes the rotation of drum 48 a distance corresponding to one tooth of the ratchet wheel and thus effects the advancement of tape 28 a corresponding distance. Cooperating with the pins secured in the periphery of drum II! is a spring-pressed guide member 4| which holds tape 28 firmly against the periphery of drum l8 and thus facilitates the advancement of tape 28.

Back stepping of tape 28V to correct a row of perforations may be accomplished through the operation of a back stepping device controlled by pivoted lever 42. The back spacing device is fully and completely described in the cited patent, and therefore further description here is be- 4 is the tape gr reco lieved to be unnecessary, particularly since such device does not form a part of the present invention.

Cooperating with t keyboard perforator -|6 reader II, which includes a supporting plate 45 secured to the side wall of base l2 of the keyboard perforator M in a position to bring the sensing head of the record reader in close proximity to the code punches 2|. According to the preferred form of the invention, the plate 45 is secured to the base |2 to bring the sensing head 46 of the record reader ll sufficiently close to the code punches 2| that the last row of perforations inserted in tape 28 may be sensed by the record reader H.

The record reader II also includes a channelshaped plate 41 provided at one end with ardepending post 48 adapted to be inserted in a bushing 49 formed in the supporting plate 45 and engaged by one end of a spring 56, the other end of which is fixed to plate 45. Spring 56 is tensioned in a manner to assist the movement of channel-shaped member. 41 and the sensing head 46 away from the tape exit of the keyboard perforator l6 upon the advancement of the tape by feed drum 46 of the perforator.

The end of channel-shaped member 41 opposite the end carrying depending post 48 is turned vertically to form portion 52. Portion 52 has a vertically aligned series of holes, and has secured to it a hardened steel guide block 53 drilled to correspond to the holes in portion 52 and positioned thereon such that its apertures are in alignment with the holes in portion 52. One side of guide block 53 is recessed as shown in Fig. 4 to form a guide-way for tape 28 as it leaves the guide-way formed in the die block 35 and the guide plate associated therewith. Supported in each of the apertures of guide block 53 is a rod 54. Tape 28 having five code perforations, five rods 54 are provided, and each has its end of reduced diameter to facilitate sensing the tape perforations. The ends of rods 54 opposite the ends supported in guide block 53 carry a segment 55 of insulating material which engages, as more clearly shown in Fig. 4, the longer spring 56 of a pair of contact springs 51, there being a pair of springs 51 individual to each rod 54. As will be described later, the position of the rods 54 determines whether the contacts 51 will be opened or closed.

Each of the rods 54 has an enlarged collar 58 and is threaded through an aperture in a plate 59 of insulating material. Plate 59 is secured to armature 66 of an electromagnet 6|. Upon the energizatioii of electromagnet 6|, armature 66 is attracted against the action of retractile spring 62 which has one end secured to armature 66 and the other end to a spring post 63, plate 59 engages collar 58 on each of the rods 54 and withdraws the rods 54 to free the ends thereof from the perforations in tape 28, and thus allow its advancement.

The advancement of the tape 28 through sensing head 46 is accomplished by the step-by-step rotation of a drum 65 on the periphery of which are formed a plurality of pins 66 arranged to engage the feed hole perforations in tape 28. Drum 65 is supported on a shaft 61 journaled in plate 41. The lower end of drum 65 has a series of ratchet teeth 68 engaged by the free end of a spring-pressed holding pawl 69 and a stepping pawl 16 formed on the end of a lever 1| having its opposite end secured to one arm of a bell crank lever 12, the opposite arm of which is secured to a plunger 13 of a dash-pot mechanism 14. A spring. 16 has one end secured to 4 plate 41 and the other end to lever 1| for holding pawl 16 in contact with the teeth of ratchet 68. An electromagnet 11 is provided with an armature 16 pivoted at 64, and the armature is articulated to the lever 1| at 85. Consequently, when electromagnet 11 is energized, its armature 16 will be attracted against the action of a retractile spring 5| connected thereto for causing pawl 16 formed on lever 1| to cooperate with a tooth on ratchet 68 and rotate drum 65 a distance corresponding to the space of one tooth. When electromagnet 11 is deenergized, the retractile spring 5| on its armature 16 causes lever 1| to return to its normal position to engage the next succeeding tooth of ratchet 68. Thus, when electromagnet 11 is againenergized, ratchet 68 and drum 65 will be rotated a distance corresponding to the distance between teeth on ratchet 68. Of course, the rotation of drum 65 causes the corresponding advancement of tape 28.

Cooperating with pins 66 on drum 65 and secured on a post 18 secured to member 41 is a finger 19 which is spring urged to hold the tape 28 firmly in contact with drum 65. Also cooperating with drum 65 and secured to plate 41 is a tape guide 86 formed to direct the path of the tape advanced as a result of the step-by-step rotation of drum 65.

Secured to plate 41 is a bracket 8|, the upper end of which carries a rod 82 which has its other end secured to portion 52. Rod 82 acts to hold more securely the parts constituting the tape or record reader ll.

At the lower end of bracket 8| there are supported the plurality of pairs of contact springs 51. A pair of contact springs 51 is individual to each of the rods 54 and has one of its springs longer than the other so as to be engaged by the insulated segment 55 of its associated rod 54.

There is also supported by bracket 8| an additional pair of contacts 83 arranged to be operated by an insulated plunger 84 carried by member 59 secured to armature 66 of the electromagnet 6|.

An L-shaped arm 86 is carried by plate 41 and has a disc of insulating material arranged to close a pair of contact springs 81 secured to the depending portion H2 of the transmitter mounting plate 45. The function of contacts 81 will appear from the description which is to follow.

Referring now to Fig. 4, one contact of each of the pair of contacts 51 is connected to a segment of a distributor 88 which includes an. outer seg" mented ring 89, an inner continuous ring 96,

and a brush arm 9|. Continuous ring 96 is connected to a signaling circuit or line 92 over which signal impulses in accordance with the transverse rows of perforations appearing in tape 28 are to be transmitted through the action of record reader ll. Brush arm 9| carries brushes which bridge successively the segments of outer ring 89 with continuous ring 96, and is secured to a shaft 93 driven from a motor (not shown) through a friction clutch (also not shown). Also secured to shaft 93 on which brush arm 9| is mounted is the arm 94 referred to as a stop arm. Stop arm 94 is adapted to engage the hook end of a bell crank lever 95 operated by an electromagnet 96 and retractile spring 91.

Also mounted on shaft 93 is a cam 98 which controls at a predetermined point in the cycle of rotation of shaft 93 the closure of a pair of contacts 99.

Assuming that the keylevers l4 are being operated through the depression of keys l5, tape 28 will be perforated by the action of punches I9 and 2| to form transverse rows of perforations representing the different characters or signals to be transmitted over line conductor or signaling circuit 92. The tape 28 perforated as a result of the operation of punches 2| passes from the die block 35 of the perforator directly to the sensing head 48 of the record reader H and in contact with drum 85, the feed pins 88 of which engage the feed holes of tape 28 formed by the operation of feed punch 9.

If it is desired to delay the transmission of signal impulses representing the transverse rows of perforations in tape 28, switch |00, which is included in the energizing circuit of electromagnet 98, is closed, thus preventing the deenergization of electromagnet 98 when contacts 81, which are also included in the energizing circuit of electromagnet 96 are opened upon the initial movement of member 41. Consequently, bell crank lever 95' remains in engagement with arm 94 and brush arm 9| is. held against rotation.

The continued operation of keylever l4 will perforate tape 28 and force sensing head 48 away from the die block 35 with the assistance of spring 50. The movement of sensing head 48 continues until its movement is arrested due to its engagement with stop secured to the upper surface of base l2. When stop |0| is engaged as disclosed in Fig. 5, tape 28 will form a loop between the sensing head 48 and the. exit of the die block 35 of perforator l0.

If switch M0 is now opened, electromagnet 98 becomes deenergized, for contacts 81 were opened when L-shaped member 88 moved free ofsuch contacts due to the movement of plate 41. As a matter of fact, L-shaped member 88 allows contacts 81 to open on the first movement of plate 41 from contact with die block 35. When electromagnet 98 becomes deenergized, spring 91 moves bell crank 95 out of engagement with stop arm 94, thus releasing for rotation brush arm 98 and cam 98 through shaft 93, which, as previously described, is driven from a continuously rotating motor through a friction clutch.

As brush 9| passes successively overthe segments linclusive of the outer ring 89, such segments will be bridged with continuousring 90 and impulses depending upon whether contact springs 51 are opened or closed will be transmitted to line conductor 92. The position of contact springs 51 will be determined by the transverse row of perforations in tape. 28, for as the tape 28 passes through sensing head 48, the rods 54 are moved or remain in their normal position depending upon whether a perforation appearing in tape 28 is is alignment therewith. However, prior to the transmission of the signal impulses representing characters appearing in the form of perforations in tape 28, the

.brush arm engages a segment |02 of segmented ring 89 for transmitting to the line a start impulse for initiating the operation of the receiving printer connected to .such line 92. During the period the start impulse is being transmitted, cam 98 is effective to close contacts 99. Upon the closure of contacts 99, an energizing circuit is established for electromagnet 8|, which in energizing attracts its armature 88 and moves member 59 to withdraw rods 54 through cooperation with the collar 58 formed on each of the rods 54 from engagement with the perforated tape 28 and thus permit the advancement of the tape 28 upon the rotation of drum 85. Electrocontacts 88 controlled by plunger 84 carried by member 59 secured to armature 80 of electromagnet 8|. Thus, notwithstanding the fact that contacts 99 are closed, electromagnet 11 is not energized until electromagnet 8| is completely energized and plunger 84 is moved sufliciently to open contacts 88. The opening of contacts 88 removes the short circuit from the winding of eelctromagnet 11 and allows its energization over a circuit extending from the positive pole of battery I08, closed contacts 99, conductor I04, windings of electromagnets 8| and 11, in series, conductor I05 and resistance I08 to the opposite pole of battery 09. Electromagnet 11 on being energized moves lever 1| and rotates through the cooperation of pawl with ratchet 88 drum 88 for advancing tape 28 to bring the next transverse row of perforations in alignment with the ends of rods 54.

When cam 98 has rotated a predetermined distance, contacts 99 are again opened, and electromagnets 8| and 11 are deenergized. The deenergization of' electromagnet 8| withdraws member 59 from engagement with the collar formed on each of rods 54 and allows the spring tension of the contact spring of the pair of contact springs 51 in engagement therewith to move its associated rod 54, which thus senses the presence or the absence of a perforation. If a rod 54 senses a perforation, it will move suiflciently to close its associated contacts 81. However, if the rod senses the absence of a perforation, then the contacts 51 are held open. Consequently, whenthe brush arm 9| passes over the segments of the outer ring 89 numbered |-5 inclusive, impulses will be transmittedto line conductor 92 in accordance with the setting of contact springs 51 as determined by the position of rods 54. When brush arm 9| has completed its cycle of rotation, it engages segment I01 of the outer ring 89 and transmits to line conductor 92 a stop impulse which effects a corresponding control on the receiving printing telegraph apparatus connected thereto.

If the perforator l0 has continued to be uperated at a high speed, there will be no material reduction in the size of the loop in the tape 28 as shown in Fig. 5. However, if the perforator is not'operated at a speed higher than the speed of operation of brush arm 9| of distributor88, then the size of the loop in the tape 28 will be decreased, even to the point of exhausting the loop of tape, in which case the portion of the tape between the sensing head 48 and the die block 45 of the perforator becomes taut. If there is a cessation in the operation of the perforator, the record reader II will continue to sense the transverse rows of perforations in tape 28.

Inasmuch as the feed drum 40 of the perforator is not being operated to emit additional tape, and since the feed drum 85 of the record reader continues its step-by-step rotation upon each energization of electromagnet 11, the sensing head 48 will approach the die block 35. Such approach will continue until the sensing head 48 has engaged the die block 35 and has sensed the last transverse row of perforations in tape 28. When such a condition is established, L-shaped lever 88 brings the insulating disc into contact with contact springs 81 which are thereupon closed and cause the energization of electromagnet 98. When electromagnet 98 is energized, bell crank lever 95 is rotated to bring the hook poraromas tion thereof in alignment with stop arm 8 car-. ried by shaft 83 on which brush arm 8| is mounted. Btop arm 88 engages the hook portion of bell crank lever SI and thus arrests brush arm 8| in its position in engagement with stop segment III'I of distributor 88.

If the perforator I8 is now operated, and provided switch Hill is open, plate 41 will be moved in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1 a distance equal to the area occupied by one transverse row of perforations in tape 28, which will be suflicient to move L-shaped'member 86 free of contact springs 81, whereupon electromagnet 86 will be deenerglzed and shaft 93 will be released for rotation. Brush arm ill and cam 88 will then rotate to achieve their respective functions as previously described. If the perforator is operated at the same speed as the speed of operation of distributor 88, sensing head 48 of record reader II will not be rotated about post 48. However, if the perforator is operated at a speed higher than the speed of operation of distributor 88, plate 41 will be moved about its pivot 48 until it contacts with stop llll, when its movement will be arrested and a loop will be formed in tape 28 as indicated in Fig. 5.

Although the invention has been disclosed and described as applied to particular apparatus, it is of course understood that many departures and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present insensing fingers to transmit signal impulses identified with said indicia, and means for advancing said record strip to bring successive indicia in alignment with said sensing fingers and for advancing said sensing fingers along said strip to a point immediately adjacent the point of application of said indicia upon a predetermined condition of said strip.

3. A telegraph transmitter comprising a plurality of members for sensing indicia on a record cluding a plurality of elements for sensing the perforations in said strip, means for transmitting signal impulses in accordance with the setting of said elements, and means for causing a relative movement between said sensing means and said recording apparatus when the speed of operation of said recording apparatus bears a predetermined relationship to the rate signal impulses are transmitted by said transmitting means.

5. In combination with apparatus for recording transverse rows'of perforations in a record strip representing intelligence characters, apparatus for transmitting signal impulses identified with said perforations comprising sensing means including a plurality of elements for sensing the perforations in said strip, means for transmitting signal impulsesin accordance with the setting of said elements, means for causing a relative movement between said sensing means and said recording apparatus when the speed of operation of said recording apparatus bears a predetermined relationship to the rate signal impulses are transmitted by said transmitting means, and means for effecting the advancement of said strip into cooperative relation with said sensing elements.

6. In combination with a strip perforator including code punches and a feed hole punch, means for controlling the efiectiveness of said code punches, means for operating said code punches in accordance with the operation of said means and said feed hole punch to perforate a strip with transverse rows of perforations and feed said strip, apparatus for sensing the code perforations in the strip comprising a plurality of sensing fingers movable longitudinally of the strip, contacts controlled by the positions of said fingers for determining the character of the signal impulses to be transmitted, and means cooperating with the feed holes in said strip for moving said sensing fingers along the strip to a point to sense the last row of perforations therein.

7. In combination with a strip perforator including code punches and a feed hole punch, means for controlling the effectiveness of said code punches, means for operating said code punches in accordance with the operation of said means and said feed hole punch to perforate a strip with transverse rows of perforations and for feeding said strip, apparatus for sensing the code perforations in the strip comprising a plurality of sensing fingers movable along said strip contacts controlled by the positions of said fingers for determining the character of the signal impulses to be transmitted, and means operated in timed relation to the transmission of signaling impulses for advancing said strip through said sensing apparatus and for moving said sensing fingers along said strip when a predetermined number of code perforations appear in said strip.

8. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a plurality of sensing fingers capable of being moved in a direction of the length of said strip, one for each of the code perforations, means controlled by saidfingers for determining the character of signal impulses transmitted, and means for movingsaid fingers along said strip when a predetermined number of code perforations appear therein.

9. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a plurality of sensing fingers, one for each of the code perforations, means con trolled by said fingers for determining the character of signal impulses transmitted, means for moving said fingers along said strip when a predetermined number of code perforations appear therein, and means for arresting the movement of said fingers in their movement along the stri 1 18. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a plurality of sensing fingers, one for each of the code perforations, means controlled by said fingers for determining the character of signal impulses transmitted, means for moving said fingers along said strip when a predetermined number of code perforations appear therein, and means for arresting the movement of said fingers in their movement along the strip and for causing a cessation in the transmission of the signaling impulses when the last code perforations have been sensed and the signaling impulses therefor have been transmitted.

11. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a pluralityof sensing fingers movable longitudinally of the strip, one for each of the code perforations, means controlled by said fingers for determining the character of signal impulses transmitted, and means cooperating with said feed perforations in said strip for moving said sensing fingers along said strip to sense the code perforations therein.

12. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip including strip feeding means cooperating with said feed perforations to advance the strip, means for sensing the code perforations in the strip normally abutting said perforator comprising a plurality of sensing fingers movable out of engagement with said perforator directly as a result of the operation of the strip feeding means, and means controlled by said sensing fingers for determining the character of the signal impulses transmitted.

13. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip, including a sensing head mounted for pivotal movement, a plurality of sensing fingers carried by said head for sensing the code perforations in said strip, and means cooperating with the feed perforations in said strip for moving said sensing head about its pivot to align the sensing fingers with the last row of *code perforations in said strip.

14. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a plurality of sensing fingers movable longitudinally of said strip, one for each of the code perforations, means controlled by said fingers for determining the character of signal impulses, a rotary distributor including a plurality of contacts cooperating with said last mentioned means for transmitting the signal impulses determined by said means, and means controlled by said distributor for causing the advancement of said sensing fingers along said strip in a direction opposite to the direction in which said strip is directed from said perforator.

15. In combination'with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip including a plurality of sensing fingers, one for each of the code perforations, means controlled by said fingers for determining the character of signaling impulses,

a distributor cooperating with said last mentioned means for transmitting the signal 1mpulses determined thereby, means for normally holding said distributor against rotation, and means controlled by the initial advancement of the strip from said perforator for freeing said distributor for rotation.

16. In combination with apparatus for applying indicia on a strip, apparatus for sensing the indicia including a sensing head through which said strip from said applying apparatus is threaded, a plurality of indicia-sensing elements carried by said sensing head, means operated by said sensing elements for determining the character of signal impulses representing said indicia to be transmitted, and means on said sensing head for advancing said threaded strip to bring successive indicia in alignment with said sensing elements and for moving said sensing head along said strip tosense the last recorded indicia.

17. In combination with apparatus for applying indicia on a strip, apparatus for sensing the indicia including a sensing head through which said strip from said applying apparatus is threaded, a plurality of indicia-sensing elements carried by said sensing head, means operated by said sensing elements for determining the character of signal impulses representing said indicia to be transmitted, means on said sensing head for advancing said threaded strip to bring successive indicia in alignment with said sensing elements and for moving said sensing head along said strip to sense the last recorded indicia, and means effective when said sensing head has sensed the last indicia for discontinuing the transmission of signal impulses.

18. In combination with a perforator for applying code perforations and feed perforations in a strip including means responsive to each application of code perforations for advancing the strip, means for sensing the code perforations in said strip comprising a pivoted frame, a sensing head through which said strip is threaded mounted on said frame, a plurality of sensing fingers carried by said sensing head and arranged to sense the code perforations in said strip, means controlled by said sensing fingers in accordance with the code perforations in said strip for determining the character of signal impulses to be transmitted, means for transmitting successively the signaling impulses, and means carried by said frame and controlled by said distributor for alternately withdrawing said sensing fingers from cooperation with said strip and for advancing the strip through said sensing head.

19. In combination with recording mechanism for applying an unlimited number of indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, including means responsive to the character of the indicia, one of said mechanisms being stationarily mounted and the other movably mounted, and means acting solely through cooperation with said strip for causing relative movement between the respective mechanisms.

20. A telegraph instrument comprising a plurality of members for sensing indicia on a record strip, a frame supporting said members movable about a fixed point in one direction until a predetermined number of indicia appear in said strip and in the opposite direction when the number of indicia is below a certain number, a circuit controller responsive to said members, means controlled by the circuit controller for transmitting impulses representative of the indicia, and means for eflecting the recited movements of said frame.

21. A telegraph instrument including recording mechanism for applying indicia on a record strip, a mechanism movable relatively to said recording mechanism for sensing the indicia on said strip, means responsive to said sensing mechanism for transmitting current impulses indicative of the sensed indicia, and means in said recording mechanism for advancing said strip and, through the advancement oi said strip, the sensing mechanism.

22. A telegraph instrument comprising mechanism for applying an unlimited number 0! indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, means for movably supporting one 01' said mechanisms, and means acting solely through cooperation with said strip for causing relative movement between said mechanisms.

23. A telegraph instrument comprising mechanism for applying an unlimited number of permanent indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, means for movabiy supporting one of said mechanisms, and means 'in each of said mechanisms for effecting relative movement between said strip and the associated mechanism, each of said means operable undercertain conditions for causing relative movement between said mechanisms.

24. A telegraph instrument comprising mechanism for applying an unlimited number of permanent indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, means for movably supporting one oi said mechanisms, and means in each of said mechanisms for eflecting intermittent relative movement between said strip and the associated mechanism, each of said means operable under certain conditions for causing relative movement between said mechanisms.

25. A telegraph instrument comprising mechanism for applying an unlimited number of permanent indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, and means in each of said mechanisms for effecting relative movement between said strip and the associated mechanism, the means in one of said mechanisms operable under certain conditions for causing movement of its associated mechanism.

26. A telegraph instrument comprising mechanism for applying an unlimited number of permanent indicia on a record strip, mechanism for sensing the indicia, and means in each of said mechanisms for eifecting relative movement be- EDWARD E. 

